Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've noticed that alot of the larger systems use galvanized metal tanks and grow beds is anyone having problems with these systems other than rusting where the galvanization is knocked off?

I am thinking of lining plywood growbeds and tanks with the roofing galvanized material then siliconing corners etc for water proofing.
Just curious if this is a feasable idea the metal roofing material is cheaper and tougher than pond liners around here.

Robert

Hi BF3, the galvanized tanks are coated on the inside with epoxy or other sealants because the zinc is toxic to aquatic organisms. You can paint plywood with epoxy paint to seal it.

This page lists some epoxy paints you can use to seal a plywood aquarium:
http://www.garf.org/140.gallon.html

If you do some searching online, you can probably find some pond liner that even with shipping is pretty reasonable.

I've found liners for as little as $0.40 a SF and even after shipping is was under $0.60 a SF.

Would the metal plus the silicone and the epoxy paint come to less than $1 a SF?

Was planning on getting epoxy paint from the local Sherwin Williams store but the guy called me back just now and said their stuff can't be used with fish, or that the store couldn't get the stuff, anyway. If anybody in the US knows where and how to get two part epoxy for aquariums that would be good info!

I always thought that galvanized was only a major no-no with saltwater. Are our Aussie friends using something else for their large tanks and beds?

Look in member tanks at David C's setup isn't that galvanized pipe or is it something else?


I can still do it without using epoxy there are several paints that could be applied that are cheaper than using a tank epoxy. Or I could always go cmu block and tank sealant.

Right now I am just looking at options but I would like to make something that can easily be moved if necessary. I was thinking of making a couple tanks 2'x3'x8' and a bunch of beds ranging from 1'x1'x8' to 3'x1'x8'. Roughly a 360 gallon tank and growbeds that range from 60 gallons to 180 gallons a piece

Robert

David C's and other's tanks are lined with a substance called Aquaplate, which is done by the manufacturer.
My gal tank is painted with bituminous paint for waterproofing. It now also has a nice thick coat of algae on the sides too

Hi again BF3, are the paints you're looking at for potable water, and fish-safe? If so please post them as I need something to cover some wood for my project.

Edit found some from aquatic eco:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fus ... /iid/11733

Also PondArmor, there was a rep on this forum about a year ago answering questions:
http://www.pondarmor.com/store/index.htm

TC, it may be cheaper for me to cover with pond liner as this epoxy business is > $1 per square foot.

This is where I ordered my long narrow pond liner for lining my grow beds. The overall price for a wider chunk for the tanks, might push the weight to require freight shipping. My 5.5' wide by 65' long piece came UPS so the total price was less that $0.60 per SF including the shipping.Liners

But what to do if you want to cover more than 30 4x4x12' wooden boards?

Ah well that splains it.

I'll get you some of the names of the different paints and epoxies when I have a bit more time.

The pond Armor stuff is a UV resistant polymer material like Durabak, and the pickup bed liner materials almost all of the UV resistant types are safe for fish after they have cured.

The stuff from Sherwin Williams is sold at most locations and they always say it isn't safe for fish but it is what we use on public water supply tanks and is rated for municipal water supply systems. It neds to cure for a couple days before water is added. Usually runs about $100.00 a gallon but will cover 200-220 square feet. All of which will need to be done in one application within 2 hours time.

Robert

Dave,

are you just trying to cover the boards or enclose a volume?

My quick answer is get a longer roll of liner.

I need to waterproof the boards and the joints between them. I've been Googling my butt off this evening, will start a new thread maybe.

hehe!

Someone should invent a word for that. Googlebutting?

Great Googldey Moogldey?

Here are a couple of the products that are safe to use as pond type liners.
Sani-Tred http://www.sanitred.com/
Ames waterproofing Items http://www.amesresearch.com/index.html

I will keep adding to this list as I find my links in my laptop. I havent found the epoxy links yet.
Robert